12 best French fries in Charlotte

By Symphony Webber and Mary Gross | July 13, 2021

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Editors’ note: This guide was first published May 2016 and last updated July 12, 2021.

Sadly, National Fry Day does not fall on a Friday this year (bummer), but in our book, every day is Fry-day.

Here’s our list of the 12 best fries in Charlotte from each fry category. (Listed in no particular order).

Best classic fry – Ace No. 3

No frills, just good ol’ classic fries. And be sure to try them with Ace’s comeback sauce.

Locations:

Myers Park – 829 Providence Rd.
Concord Mills – 8520 Pit Stop Ct. NW #10
Belmont Village – 1001 Belmont Ave.

Best shoestring fry – Café Monte

Aka, “Pommes Frites” like they’re called on the menu. They’re thin and crispy so you can dip multiple in ketchup at once.

Location: 6700 Fairview Rd. Suite #108

Related story: The 21 best brunch spots in Charlotte

Best waffle fry – Pinky’s Westside Grill

Order them plain or if you’re really about it, order the Pimp n’ Fries (waffle fries covered in Pinky’s world-famous pimento cheese). You’ll probably need a two- to four-hour nap afterward.

Location: 1600 West Morehead St.

Best crinkle-cut fry – Midwood Smokehouse

These crinkle-cut fries come topped with pimento cheese, plus you can add chopped pork, homemade chorizo or chopped brisket. It’s definitely a shareable portion, so you can let your friends steal a couple, but not too many.

Locations:

Plaza Midwood – 1401 Central Ave.
Park Road Shopping Center – 540-C Brandywine Rd.
Ballantyne – 12410 Johnston Rd.
Birkdale Village – 16710 Birkdale Commons Pkwy.

Best piled-high fries – Dilworth Tasting Room

This stack of truffle fries actually has some vertical to it. The fries are crispy and tossed in herbs, lemon zest and topped with shredded parmesan cheese with truffle aioli on the side.

Locations:

Dilworth – 300 East Tremont Ave.
South Park – 4905 Ashley Park Ln. Suite J

Best over-the-top fry – What the Fries

Lobster mac & cheese fries, veggie hibachi fries and flaming hot fries are just a few of the loaded fry combos to choose from at What the Fries. The classic cheesy fries are a crowd favorite.

Location: 10707 Park Rd., Suite F

One of the most popular loaded dishes is the cheesy fries made with three cheeses.

Best fancy fry – RH Rooftop

Priced at $18, these definitely are some fancy fries. They’re made with black truffles, Parmigiano-Reggiano, parsley and truffle aioli.

Location: 6903 Phillips Place Ct.

Best seasoned fry – Bojangles’

Before you roast us for including Bonjangles’ on this list, Bojangles’ is local and, admittedly, has some tasty seasoned fries.

Pro-tip: Ask for extra seasoning, or, better yet, buy your own bottle ($5.99) and sprinkle it on everything you can possibly think of.

Location: Multiple locations

Best fry without even trying – Viva Chicken

With a consistency close to a beer-battered fry, their fries are so crunchy that they do something that is almost unheard of in the french fry category: They travel well.

Pro-tip: Forget the ketchup and dip these bad boys into the Aji Amarillo sauce.

Location: Multiple locations